Foldable storage system

ABSTRACT

A foldable storage system is provided. The foldable storage system includes a top panel to cover the system, a middle panel connected to the top panel by the connecting members, a bottom panel to support contents in the system, a first and a second side rotating panel connected to the middle panel through respective rotating members wherein the first and second side rotating panels rotate inwardly and frictionally contact with the bottom panel, a front top and bottom hinge panel with respective hinged and rotating portions, and a back top and bottom hinge panel with respective hinged and rotating portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/691,022 filed on Aug. 20, 2012, and is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1). The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to storage containers and, more particularly, to foldable storage systems.

2). Discussion of the Related Art

Storage containers are commonly used to store a wide variety of commercial materials. Many of these storage containers are commercially available in a pre-formed or rigid box shape. These containers can be cumbersome because they do not allow for the ability to collapse in order to space save.

Further, generally, these containers serve only as inexpensive and disposable replacements, in that, if used for prolonged periods of time, these containers may deteriorate and fracture, given the construction materials, causing unnecessary waste. It continues that, generally, given the weight and size of the contents stored; the construction must stand up to forces from both internal and external environments. Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved collapsible storage container that can allow for space saving, and at the same time provide increased durability and longevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of an apparatus in accordance with the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a foldable storage system

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the foldable storage system with a top panel opened.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up view of the foldable storage system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective of the foldable storage system with a raised first and a second side rotating panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the foldable storage system.

FIG. 6 illustrates the foldable storage system with the first and second side panels rotating interiorly.

FIG. 7 illustrates the foldable storage system with the first and second side rotating panels rotating in and front and back top and bottom hinge panels extended.

FIG. 8 illustrates the foldable storage system including a locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Collapsible storage containers are desirable for storing materials of all kinds. It is also desirable to have the container to have the feature or ability to collapse to a size significantly smaller that the container extended. This feature allows for an increase in areas in which the foldable storage system may be stored, especially when space is limited.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a foldable storage system made of segmented or foldable front and back panels, each comprising two panel pieces connected by a hinges. The end panels are connected with hinges and fold inwardly, in an embodiment. This means that the foldable storage system can be put in a usable “box” position by straightening, or folding outward, the foldable end panels and by extension of the front and back panels. A foldable top panel is then provided for protection of any contents therein.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a perspective of a foldable storage system 10. The foldable storage system 10 may include a top panel 12, a middle panel 26 and a bottom panel 24 to support contents in the system 10 wherein the top panel 12, in an embodiment, is connected by connecting members 34 to the middle panel 26. The panels operate as shear walls to support the bottom panel 24, middle panel 26 and top panel 12 include the first side rotating panel 14 and second side rotating panel 16 (illustrated in FIG. 2). As discussed below, the first and second rotating panels, 14 and 16, are rotatably connected to the middle panel 24, in an embodiment.

The first and second side rotating members, 14A and 16A, allow for the collapse and expansion of the foldable storage system 10. The first and second side panels, 14 and 16, rotate inwardly upon expansion of the foldable storage system 10 such that respective ends frictionally contact with the bottom panel 24, extending upwardly the middle panel 26. To collapse, inner handles 18, connected to each first and second rotating sides, 14 and 16, are such that they can be pulled upwardly.

The first and second side rotating members, 14A and 16A, in an embodiment, attach at each end of a middle panel 26. In another embodiment, the first and second rotating members, 14A and 16A, can extend from one side of the middle panel 26 to the other. Generally, the first and second rotating members, 14A and 16A, can be attached via a fastening means like a screw, bolt or other similar functioning equivalent. Like many elements of the invention, such members can be made out of metal, plastic, or other similar lightweight rigid material that provides durability.

FIG. 3 is a close up illustration of the first and second side rotating panels, 14 and 16, collapsed on top of a front top hinge panel 20 and a back top hinge panel 22. Hinge panels are formed with a hinged portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is attached to a surface of the middle panel 26 and bottom panel 24. The rotating portion refers to being rotated at an axis allowing rotation to occur with respect to at least one component. The hinged portion is present where the front top hinge panel 20 is connected to the front bottom hinge panel 20A (illustrated in FIG. 5). This connection is through a hinge or other similar mechanism that allows for rotation and collapsibility. The back top hinge panel 22 and back bottom hinge panel 22A are similarly connected in an assembled configuration.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate the foldable storage system 10 expanding from its collapsible form. In expanding, a user, in an embodiment, unlocks the locking mechanism 32 (illustrated in FIG. 8). Generally, the lock 32 is present on both sides of the middle panel 26. However, any panel can contain a lock 32 such that all structure in the invention is fastened.

After unlocking the locking mechanism(s) 32, the user can then pull up on outer handles 30, which in an embodiment, are connected or fastened to the middle panel 26 (illustrated in FIG. 5). At this point in the expansion process, the first and second side rotating panel, 14 and 16, rotate inward forming support sides (illustrated in FIG. 6). The front top and bottom hinge panel 20 and 20A, as well as the back top and bottom hinge panel 22 and 22A extend forming the front and back sides.

An advantage of the invention is the ability to store materials and collapse such that storage of the foldable storage system 10 involves minimal space. In an embodiment the collapsible form of the foldable storage system 10 can comprise less than fifty percent of the cubic area of the expanded form of the system 10. In another embodiment, the collapsible form of the foldable storage system 10 can comprise less than twenty percent of the cubic feet area of the expanded form of the system 10. In another embodiment, the collapsible form can comprise 10 percent of the expanded form cubic feet area. In yet another embodiment, the expanded form houses the cubic feet necessary to encompass only the cubic feet area necessary to house the first and second side rotating panel, 14 and 16; the front top and bottom hinge panel, 20, 20A; and the back top and bottom hinge panel, 22 and 22A.

Another advantage of the system 10 is the construction. The construction of the foldable storage system 10 is such that it is lightweight and durable such that it can function as furniture or other structural devices for household entertainment equipment and further maintain integrity to withstand the forces of the heavy contents stored. In an embodiment, the foldable storage system 10 can contain edge protection trim, further protecting the integrity. As stated above, this material can be steel, aluminum, titanium, or another metal, carbon fiber or carbon fiber reinforced plastic or other polymer, blend or composite thereof

Another advantage of the system 10 is its ease of construction. The segmented or collapsible components of the are connected or fastened together using minimal structural material at a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such foldable storage system economically available to the buying public.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed:
 1. A foldable storage system, comprising: a top panel providing cover the system; a middle panel connected to the top panel by connecting members; a bottom panel to support contents stored in the system; a first and a second side rotating panel connected to the middle panel through respective rotating members wherein the first and second side rotating panels rotate inwardly and frictionally contact with the bottom panel; a front top and bottom hinge panel with respective hinged and rotating portions; and a back top and bottom hinge panel with respective hinged and rotating portions, wherein the rotating portions of the front and back top panels are connected to the middle panel and the rotating portions of the front and back bottom panels are connected to the bottom panel, wherein the front top and front bottom and the back top and back bottom are hinged together at respective hinged portions.
 2. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the first and second rotating sides include inner handles.
 3. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the first and second rotating members can extend a width of the middle panel.
 4. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the middle panel includes a locking mechanism such that at least two of the top panel, middle panel and bottom panel are locked together.
 5. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the foldable storage system is comprised of Aluminum.
 6. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the foldable storage system is comprised of carbon fiber.
 7. The foldable storage system of claim 1 wherein the middle portion includes outer handles. 